Upsall bought by the Scrope family in 1327, with the family holding it into the Tudor era. A Castle is thought to have been built in the Norman era, with suggestions but little evidence that it was built over by the Scrope’s in the 14th century. The castle, or Manor House, seems to have been abandoned and partially demolished in the 16th century. A new, large, home was built on the site in the 1860’s with the gardens being landscaped at that time.
14th Century Castle at Upsall
When the Scrope family gained possession of Upsall, they gained a licence to crenellate and developed the existing structure. The result was a quadrangular castle. It’s towers were some 36 feet square internally and the connecting ranges measure 85 metres east-west by 65 metres north- south. The full height of the castle and its internal design are hard to ascertain as apart from some of the curtain walls, most of the castle has been dismantled or built over.
The Scrope Family of Masham and Upsall
The branch of the Scrope family who took possession of Upsall and developed it are historically significant and quite well known.
Sir Geoffrey Scrope was a younger brother of John Scrope, Lord of Bolton. Sir Geoffrey was Lord Chief Justice under Kings Edward II and Edward III.
Sir Henry Scrope was Geoffreys heir and Lord of Upsall, Flaxtead and Masham. Henry also served in high office, as Lord Treasurer of England. Sir Henry Scrope, Lord of Masham and Upsall died in 1410.
The Scrope family remained influential under Henry’s son and heir, also named Henry Scrope. They also brought themselves into disgrace. In 1413, Henry Scrope, who like his father was Lord Treasurer, was one of the men at the heart of the Southampton Plot. This was a plan to overthrow Henry V on the even of what became the Agincourt Campaign. As one of the prominent ringleaders of this attempted coup, Lord Scrope was tried and executed at Southampton shortly before Henry V’s fleet set sail for the Normandy coast.
In 1431 the heir of Henry Scrope, his brother, John, was restored to the Lordship of Masham and Upsall. His heir was Thomas Scrope, who became active in the Percy-Neville feud.
As tensions rose in the North of England in the 1450’s, Thomas, 5th Lord Scrope of Masham, allied himselves with the Percy family. This continued as the Wars of the Roses broke out, with him remaining loyal to King Henry VI.
As a result of his support for the Lancastrian cause he was awarded an annuity of £20 per annum by the Lancastrian regime following the Rout at Ludford and Coventry Parliament [known as the Parliament of Devils].
Thomas 5th Lord Scrope of Masham was called to Parliament twice. Firstly for the aforementioned Coventry Parliament. Secondly, to the Readeption Parliament of Henry VI. He died in 1475 and was succeeded by his eldest son, also called Thomas.
Upsall Castle Links
Historic England – Official Listing of the site.
Heritage Gateway – Description of the site with a selection of suggested sources.
Gatehouse Gazetteer – Description and suggested sources about the castle.
Yorkshire Parks and Gardens – detailed history of the site from it’s medieval origins through to the abandonment of that building and construction of the 19th century building and parks on the Upsall estate.
Northern Echo – A tale of two castles in the village that time forgot.
Featured Image
Upsall Castle and Park on J. Blaeu’s map of Yorkshire c. 1645. Via Yorkshire Parks and Gardens